The Sun. — London, England, 1818-01-09 00:00:00

THE COUNTRY. -As the Abettors of FACTION and Admirers 'of :BLASPHEMY continue to support the eause of Mr. 410`a, and to promote the Subsdiptlon designed, to reward him for the merits cif his works, the obvious tentkney 'of which, whatever may be the, professed intention of the Author, is to biing tontempt upon our Government and'ridletde upon: our Religion, it 'is gratifying to its tn'find, That thoseAvlio are'remote from the not• bed of'Sedit London, have not only eScapedlrom its Contagion, but 'preserved their Minds in a state of " sound and pristine health.'' A striking spe c imen of this constitutional sanity is to be seen in Alm ing citation : (From The (Dublin) Correrporulent, of . the eel in.q.) The Friends of Reform and the Liberty of the Press, that is tasay, • all those who arc weary national greatness, and ,for making experiments,' by means of Libel, upon the stabili:y of the State, have had a very pleasant day, on Monday last, at the City of London Tavern: The oceagion which collected so many profound and'brilliant sages in - the system of Revolution in tiro spot, 'Was to pro , - mote a subscription for Mr. Hone, .'the-Gentle man who had the success 'to '6Caje conviction upon three Trials for Blasphemy and Sedition, and who had the untimely merit of expressingte-, worse for what he had done after be had been - acquitted. The Meeting, it Would seem, was, -what may be well called " a very mixed com pany;" but the working hands. of Reform, the' very lowest description of the populace, must have greatly 'exceeded any respectability which the Assembly could boast', or else such extrava gant nonsense as was delivered out in speeches and haran g ues never could have been endured for a moment. It is amazing to see with what in trepidity the most absurd and the most ignorant of the human race will undertake the discussion of subjects of infinite depth Had importance, case hardened to the contempt and scorn of the in formed.and rational part of the public. The ef fect of all the dating trash which Was spoken at the Meeting in contemplation was not equivocal. it drew money from the, pockets of the auditors, and with such success, that, in a little -time,- a thousand pounds were subscribed for Mr. Hone, to sweeten his escape from martyrdom in the cause of Sedition and Blasphemy. This is good en couragement to all distressed Patriots, who are willing to make one thousand pounds, only at the expense of turning into burlesque matters of Re ligion and Holiness, and of making indecent Pa rodies the vehicles of the grossest libels. Mr. WaithMan, Sir Francis Burdett, Lord Cochrane, and others of the funtv held forth, with their customary contempt fur history and its philosophy ; but they all said a great deal about the Trial by Jury and the Liberty of the Pr( !.s, and such other topics as neither themselves nor their auditors knew any thing about ; but we have not discovered that they made any honourable men tion of their old coadjutor, Cobbett; though one should suppose that the occasioa would have brought back this troublesome disciple to their re membrance. Had they thought on Cobbett, and Lis happy escape from a country where Crown Lawyers, Ex-Oflicio Informations, and 13 ,, roitgh- Mongers give such serious concern to all honest and loyal men—by a natural succession of ideas, they must 'nave been led to the contemplation of American liberty, and then they would have had an opportunity of saying any thing which they may have thought most likely to mislead their hearers, concerning the superiority of American Courts of Justice in cases of libel against persons, especially Magistrates, and those employed in public capacities. The American Law of Libel, however, is not left to such interpreters. lit has been expounded,' and expounded, too, on the trial of no less noto rious a personage' than Cobbett himself, and by the American Judge Who presided. Judge M`Kean • pronounced the following doctrine upon that oc-' casion, which, perhaps, Sir Francis Burdett would find it no easy matter to prefer to that of which it is but an imitation, namely, the Libel Law of England; that is, the Libel Law of Eng land as it is expounded at Westminster-Hall, not at Old Palace-Yard, the Livery, Or the. City of London Tavern.---LHere followed the American Law of Libel, as stated by Judge M'KEars, and inserted in THE Sur.? of the 30th ult.] EAST INDIA HOUSE. Wednesday, a general Court of Proprietors of East India Stock was held, pursuant to adjourn ment, for the purpose of confirming the resolution entered intoou the 17th ult. approving of the grants made by the Court of Directori, to different indi viduals, at various periods, partly from the Com pany's cash, and partly from the Fee Fund. The Resolutions, confirming the pension con ferred on Mr. G. DOrninicus, Mr. Coggan, Mr. Rolland, Mr. Frost, Mr. ' Peart, J. M. Neale, Marter, W. Coward, and Lady Winterton, were put from the Chair, ,seriatim, and agreed to unanimously. . • On the question for confirming the appointment of Colonel Bryce, as Assistant Military Assistant to the Auditor, Messrs.. HOWARTH Mid Hums shortly addressed the Conrt, on the importance of selecting for of ficers req u iring talent and integrity, Gentlemen who were teared in the house, instead of intro ducing strangers to the es!ablishment. Mr. GRANT (the Director) shortly answered, that the executive body were most anxious to make use of that talent, for the performance of the business of this great Company, winch they found within their own walls; but, when circum stances rendered it necessary, be submitted that they were perfectly justified in looking elsewhere for ability. The Resolution was then agreed to, and the Cuurt adjourned sine die. AIENWCITY OF Tilt METROPOLIS. Yestetday a Meeting was held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, in the Strand, to consider of the most advisable steps to be pursued .for the immediate relief of the destitnte, and the ultimate suppression - of rnendicity in the metropolis. Mr. WILLIAM's, being called to the Chair, 'ob served, that though placed in that situation by the kindness orilie Meeting, lie much regretted that some person of More bonsenoence than himself had not been chosen to preside on such an occa sion ; for hUregarded the objects which had in duced them to assemble, as the most important that could 'engage the attention of the friends of humanity mid rieir country. He should not now attempt to deicribe the measures which might be calculated to accomplish the 'great object the Meeting had in view. This was Hot the time for details; b u t the Committee, the appointment of which it was intended to _propose, would be able to enter into the most Minute considerations, and would soon come Torsisid with a well-digest ed plan. For the present, it was sufficient to state, that 'the objects 'for which the Meeting had beets called, .were the "relief 'of immediate and pressing distress, and the enforcement of the laws of the country with regard to menviicity. The Duke of Notthumberland, he had hoped, would have' beers present at this Meeting .; but he was sorry to state that, a letter had been received from his (Grace, stating that in consequence of 'a loss in his family lie could not attend.. He had rea son to hope, hoWever, that another. occasion ivdidd arise in which his Grace might have an. opportunity of appearing in that room, in support of the benevolent purpo. s of the meeting. He trusted, that the -Gent/erne') who might be dis posed to speak on the business submitted to the consideration of the Meeting would avoid, as much as"possible, all extraneous matter , that they would confine themselves strictly to the dis tress of the 'Metropolis, and the means of afford , ing - direct and immediate relief,: above all, he hoped they ivould avoid any thing like political di,cussion ; for certainly nothing . could be more injurious to the humane object they all had in view than any attempt to mix politics with charity. Mr. MAR.:EN, in rising to move the first resolu tion, knew that it would not be necessary for bins to take tin ninth of the time of the meeting. That to relieve the distress of our fellow-creatures was the duty '6l every Member of society' was a truth which he did not need to urge to those who had there assembled. He should have been glad that sonic person of higher rank and consideration than himself had taken the lead in this business ; but he could not say that he expected any one pos sessing more experience Would have come forward, for he had made mendicity the subject of his par ticular attention for many, years, and he knew what 'the duty he had now to perform was. It did not require great talents or elinpience to in duce a British public to listen to the voice of lin , Inanity. He had often made successful appeals in favour of distress, for he had laboured in thii cause for many years. But, notwithstanding all that had hilliest() been done, the state of mendi ' city in the Metropolis had alarmingly increased. Thousands of poor creatures were now suffering the drepe , t distress ; and, so far from its being true that they lived luxuriously, the fact was, that the majority of these miserable beings died pre= maturely, for want of the common comforts of : life. lu th is statement he was supported by the opinion of a rntlemati of great experience among the poor in the populous parish — of St. Martin-in the-ffelds. A Committee would be proposed, for the better effecting the objects of the nieetiug. , -- lie should not enter into ally minute details of what he thought ought to. be the duty of that Committee, but sonic points which would be important for their consideration might now be mentioned. It would be most material to take care to check imposture. • He knew many beoevo , lent persons who were deterred from giving cha rity. Even Ladies, possessing the kindest dispo sitions and the warmest feelings of humanity, had had their feelings steeled against charity by the frauds which had beet! practiSed upon (heel. It would therefore be necessary for the Committee to discritninate with the greatest nicety in the ap plication of relief, that those who subscribed might be assured, that . their money was bestowed on proper objects: To execute the business of the Committee proper regulations would be necessary. He had always found that much was to be accom plished •by a judicious division of labour, and in this business a natural division presented itself, to which the labours of tiro Committee might be suc cessfully applied. Beggar's were either parochial or belonged to' no parish. it was extraordi nary that the majority of Mendicants met with in London were parochial, and about one third of them act rally belonged to parishes of the Metropolis. • The labour of one division of the Committee would be well employed in sending these paupers to their respective parishes. With re gard to those who have no parishes, they naturally disided themselves into Irish, Scotch, and foreign paupers. The Irish paupers were rely oufnerous. A subscription, he. thought, might be made among their countrymen, for the ,purpose of • defraying the expence of re turning them to their country. From their nuns bets they made a very heavy pressure on some parishes, particularly that of St. Giles. Of Scotch paupers there were but few ; the people of that country being sober and industrious, were seldom met with as 'mendicants, and the Scotch Society would willingly assist the Committee in finding the means of conveying such as .were found in a state of 'necessity to SCotland. There re mained, then, only to be provided for by the. Committee such of the foreigners as might have no claim on any other source, for relief. Of them a considerable number were seamen, and the Committee would be assisted in its labours respecting them by die Society established at the City of London Tavern. He was convinced that the fullest co-operation might be relied on as soon as the plans of the Committee were Cully digested and promulgated ; and to convince the meeting cf.the assistance which might be expected, he re ferred to a list of the subscribers to a charitable institution, of which lie was an active member, containing the names of persons of the highe‘t rank. But though they might telynputi the fullest tuppi)rt "an , l co- r i';cr,o ion wben the I.,ganii,ltlon ti Corn• nfift ee should be complete, yet it was absolutely ne cessary that; n i non gdin it bscri ptiOn - shonl dbe en tered ; and objectionable as gi alms in the 'street was in the opinion of many, he could nOt discourage it, for charity mttst not be entirey withheld until investigaticn took place, however protnpt that investigation 'might be. He was well convinced that there Were hundreds now in the streets, who, if nor ieTie've'd "to-day, would die to-snort ow. He had, thirefore, the cause of wretched beings to plead, - atfd lie ova's sure lie should not be suffered to plead in vain. _ _ Mr. HaaatsoN seconded the minion. He ob served, that if gross impoSitions were o.actised, as was said to be the case, by paupers, it ‘vould be for the Committee to investigate these frauds, and expose them. lie entertained the liepe, that through their labours, mendiciey would be com pletely pet an end to, and that the Society about to be established would, as the, result of their first labours, very soon have to request the public not to give alms to beggars. Mr. Hume; though not one originally concern etl in bringing about this meeting, had (in conse queoce of his application to the Gentlemen who suggested it, to know what measures were to be brought forward) been asked to propose the Re solution he was now about to move. With regard to plans, it was not reasonable to expect, on such a subject as ;his, any thing like agreement ; and . in this case he had found as many plans as indi viduals. All, however, concurred in the convic tion, that the evil was great and general. Every friend of humanity endeavours to give partial re lief within the circle to which his exertions Must be confined; but general relief mast be the object of :the - Committee. It was, however, very diffi cult to say what the plan of the Committee ought to be. The distinction which had been. made with respect to parochial and non-parochial beg gars was exceedingly proper, and would naturally lead to the proper course of application for the relict and removal of the latter. It was scarcely possible to walk the streets without being assailed by natives of Asia, in the most distressed situa tion, soliciting charity. It ought,. however, to he known, that every person who brought any of the natives of Hindostan to this country, were obliged to give securities to the 'mount of 1,000 rupees, that those men should not be left desti tute in this country. One important part of th e duty of the Committee would therefore be to col lect untortnnate beings of this description, arid ascertain what support they were entitled to. He was confident, that on application to thelittlia- House, a depik Would he established, to which they might be transferred alail the investigation was completed, a,+l the means of returning them to their own country obtained. In this stay the streets of the metropolis might easily be cleared of a very niantrous class, at a trifling expence. Natives of Africa formed another class of patiperS, to which the attention of the Committee would be flit eeted, aunt in . doing so they would daunt less he assisted in their hybours by the African So ciety. Ile should have been happy to have seen fete Chairman of that Society p:irticipating in the present Meeting, hot they could not doubt of his co-operation, and the Committee, by communicat ing with that humane institution, would, in all _probability, procure a proper asylum for every African, who was really an object of charity, and the means of sending others .who were destitute, though ahre td labour, out of the country. The seamen, as had been observed, might be referred to the Society recently established for their re lief, The cases of the soldiers, or men who pre tended to have been soldiers, ought to be enquir ed into by a distinct section of the Committee, with the view of ascertaining -Which of them had pensions and which had not. If application were firiade to the Duke of York, they might be assured that • his Royal Highness would afford the Society. every aid which might facilitate their labours. An unoccupied barrack would be eXtremely useful as a depot for this. description ut mendicants ; and upon application to his Royal Highness •he hoped that favour would be granted to the Cothmittee; This, however, Must by constantly borne in Mind, that it was impossible for the objects of the Meet- . • Mg to be accomplished, without the establishment of numerous local Committeesicommunicating with one Central Committee, An immediate Sub scription was, however, absolutely necessary for the most destitute objects, whom it would be ne cessary.to relieve, while the investigation of their cases was going on. In theinean time he hoped that the Public Papers, at all times for Ward in the support of the public charities of the country, and some of which had already been of great service in promoting the views of the Meeting, would give publicity to the intentions and aid the ,ob jects of the Society, for the formation of which the Meeting had been .called. He concluded by nwving, that a Society be formed, to be called The Society for the Suppression of Mendicity. The Rev. Mr. RUDGE, as Minister o f a very populous parish, considered it his duty to second the measure. The motion was carried unanitnnualy. • Mr. ToottE rose next, to move the appointment of a Committee. Ile observed, that when the Com mittee should be established, the proper course would be to supply Gentlemen with tickets, to he given to mendicants. Instead of besto3ving their - c i( l i i l a y riatiiof;a y a in pr n i 7y iey , l wl i lich was too erequently spent they would give to the beg- gar who solicited relief one of those-tickets, re ferring -him to a place Where his case would -be investigated. To facilitate the investigation a list of queries should be prepared. The result in ge neral would he the transfer of the mendicant to his parish, or the assigning hint to some place to which be v. as entitled to look fur relief ; for there was scarcely any individual in distress who might not be referred to some body.or institution oil which he I a preferable claim- tor relief. The appeal which was now made to the public rested oil the best foundation, namely, that of economy to themselves ; for whatever they subscribed ss , ottld be applied for the purpose of lidding them of an enormous burden, Ile therefore anticipated com plete success. lie regretted to see the room so thinly atiendiql ott an occasion of so much im portance. When they recollected the numerous meetings which a visionary had produced last summer, the present attendance teemed to prove, that the influence of romance wits much more •• pOwerin! than that o roailcr of fact. ever, he had nil cOnlidence in (n the .aceo:di'!': trient Of the views Of the Society. lie tl:en m o:en the '4.,ppoiriturent of a Committee. Mr. Friefir,C seconded the 16. , olution, anci 0 1 '" served that it. Was . unnecessary to contribute their aid, as their presence 1 1 "- 44 sufficiently declared their intentions. That men dicity constituted a great evil was manifest. 111 ' only question was, how this 'evil tonic! be refu e ' died. : - .le who could answer this question feel peculiar satisfaction from the remeitibrance it on his dying day. It they could nut compre." bend the 'whole gigantic plan, yet thev,ought do what they can. lie was one of those who ori" ginated the measure, and he called upon o:lter to .assist iii the tremendous ditty. The road f n . military glory Was shut tip ; long might the tern' pie of . Janus be closed, but the destitute c rowd 3 tat lay at , its threshold called loudly for a ssist" at - lee and relief. Mr. TooKR moved that Mr. W. Williams' 1)6 pointed Treasurer. • Mr. FttEND, in his seconding this Motion, that this was a political question, and a political question of the verY highest importance. It wrt-'n t to- the root of all society., Society, according 1 ° _the Scriptures, was connected together as an t body ; when one Member was afflicted, all tent' members suffered with it. Society Was a pyratall whose. basis was the lower classes. If the. hasi s should be dimiGished, the whole fabric wou ld tumble down. This was only the beginning o f the measure ; if wisely conducted, it might attended with the most beneficial effect's. Mr. BLUNDELL moved, that Mr. W. H. Bodk ill be appointed Sucretary. • Mr. liArtittsoN denied that their intention 1 8.4 -' political. They had no intention of inlet feri»g aq way with. civil Government. He was anxious 1 1 ' this shotN be distinctly understood, and Publishet' He saw there Gentlemen who could state it better than he, and lay it immediately before the public' By doing so, they would essentially serve socieT He, for one, did think that mendifity could put down altogether. Ile concluded by m Ovio 4 thanks to I\lr. Oitey, for the gratuitous use of I'M room. It mignt, indeed, be said rooms, for Committee-room Was also given gratuitously. ii took that occasion to say, that tV personkil vices of tiose who could give inforiaailint (0' 85 sistanee would be more valuable even' than to4l - and he therefore solicited such Gehtleoreo to put their names'in books provided for that pa' pose. Mr. IlowceoFT-said, they could now separa te with as much satisfaction as the occasion The beginning was the most difficult thing. TO L difficulty was now removed. It reinaiiied - dO t every one should 'contribute for the object: - :' ll view. Their business was not to deal out pani c ' tic phrases, brit to tell simply, what were t'l“: 11. hopes, and what shotrld be their tiuleavours. 114 Wined Thanks to the Chairman. • Mr. flumF, in seeomiing this . ed , what he had that t in e a t t l very -important, I3,►tli they were lsef~tY~ them on this subject. There ‘.....ticiiyyeas 914 great measure suppressed. The e yi;i4* cheering and encouraging. The CHAIRMAN said, lie had been unwilling . ; (14 c t ".!t e ) ptehrea r Chair, no( e I .s ) ; "j o s r e the l : e 7 ,l ‘ l v e a :t gt:ct , j ; cause be .wished a Genileman of greater name s . tiperior talent to preside in a hush:vs..; of rlt importance. By the next time they met be trls assured that they should. have not only a Oc' l "` — ,,,' Man of rank an d ta l ents to Ft..side, but that could sele c t one f rom many who should apply t`, the Chair 'which he now occupied: The Meeti" then broke up. DREADFUL ACCIDENT PROM A i'OtECAt A horrible occurrence recently took place i ii i France. Th e wili t of a lamer Soiry 5 ,1(4 °," ( ,' two 'infants, on e of which s he , was the parent, - other given her to nurse. They were put to si ceP in the same bed. In the course of 1"s -month, the child at nurse ira.; t,,und la its bed, with the face eaten away "1 one sale . The attention of the family 11* i been called by the cuing of the. other. WV the child was taken out of the tied, it a ppe:o 44 the right band anti part of the wrist hail bel taken away. `The.littly ertnitlrr was losing ° v its blood. Upon ‘ examining, a s pole-cat or (etc" Was found stretched between the two eltilileo' with its janAs all bloody. . The persons in dr house succeeded kiiling it. The tirlimal it appeared, estahlished itself in tie liasse. It is thought evraordinary that sd an animal should come into an inhabited Surely these children could not have been, the, 01 1 killed, the Other horridly mangled, without pie' Mr,. cries. How blanicable,are the mothers or e ' neglect the cries of little innocents, whose panes Might be in general removed by a livle tenpernes g and care. A little attention would' hare saved the one of these children frou] death, the other froil i dreadful mutilation. MUTABILITY HUMAN PORTUtZE.- , -1‘101291e 111 L All.ltENt, fOrtnelly 90 cel e b rate d . a Cl ow n, 0114 distinguished tor his uncommon feats of aGtivi l l,!, and who was possessed at one time of considerabi property, has been so reduced in his circumstances' that yesterday he , :iplied to the ISlagistrats •° c , .U , l l O ll - 11 an, for an miler to the Overseers ° I.4lMbetit (his patish) to grant him retiet or I ' l receive him into the workhouse. The Maws' hates instructed hint in the mode of application to the Parish Officers, and directed hint to retwn 11' Union-Hall, iu case he was not relieved, * lO they would issue the necessary order. COAL M.A.I: I: ET, JAN. 7. Ships at Marlict. ships sold. Prit.., • s?_ Newcmtlo .. ... lai . 36s. 6d. w .15. R. Ca. Is' yin to ..... , t .. • ....... 37%. 04i, bo. 39,. Od' 1 Elgin 'Main CoaL ......o„ . s. DJ. to —5. .1)1E1) . . • On Slimily last, Mr. Thomas (olel)atch, of Paradise-A"0`). Islington, in the 77th year of his age. Yesterday, at his house, at IsEnqton, In his 73,1 year, Jo1: 3 Stevens, Lsq. Ou the al Mt ult. at Ills chamliers in tlfe ToMple, in 111 t, year of his age, ;Myles WalLe: Esq. barrister-at-law.. LONDON: Prilitt ( 2 , Iry .1. . r.:sTA of No. 29, t"vt : 4,t (Hnioud-street, QUeeri-s,:uut:e; and published . SCRIPPS, Of No. 7, illoltori-strcet, Twi , , Oilice, No. 112, Strand; wh,re Advciliseoicr,h, &c. (1w:1-paid) must y What : hou t o 6e L. 134 v0l Tht Th e C ' t ter, it nr ;, troll( , The t tie Sh 1, 1.1 k it et: .fl •fthe ~~:rr ~~U~i; l d ~ a ~ ~ Nt h g4ll )1, tvi f) 4 I'4 o 1 a n ('-.0 I